Permanently attached closure device for containers



June 16, 1953 w. J. DIXON 2,642,204

PERMANENTLY ATTACHED CLOSURE DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS- Filed Jan. 4, 1952 3 a 27 q-f- L4 1 3/ M? r i 11mm 8 a T H, is: 33 30 29 2 m 3 ml! ,39 3 34 A5 INVENTOR /%//r' Dixon za BY 64% ATTORNEY Patented June 16, 1953 OFFICE PERMANENTLY V ATTACHED CLOSURE I DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS Walter J. Dixon, United States Army, Fort Lee, Ya...

Application January 4, 1952, Serial No. 265,025 5 Claims. (01.222 92 (Granted under Title 35, sec. 266

The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

My invention relates to closure means for collapsible containers and thelike.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a closure device for collapsible tubes of toothpaste or the like which is permanently connected to the neck of the tube and cannot be misplaced or lost. I v A further object-is to provide a closure element-forcollapsible containers which is highly simplified in construction and embodying a novel and simplified mode of operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a'closure element or the above-mentioned char acter which is not likely to become clogged with the toothpaste or the like. 7 Other objects and advantages of the invention will'be' apparent during the course of the following description.

'In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, g I

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a collapsible tube 'equippedwith'closure means embodying my invention; said means being ar ranged to cover the dispensing opening of the 5' tube,

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the closure means in an open position,

Figure 3 is a central vertical longitudinal sectionthrough the closure means while as in Figure 1, parts in elevation,

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section taken on-line ti of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a central vertical longitudinal section through the closure device whenxthe' same is turned 90 with respect to the collapsible tube,

Figure 6 is a horizontal cross section taken on line B6 of Figure 5,. t

Figure '7 is a transverse vertical on line 7-! of Figure 5, I

Figure 8 is a fragmentary horizontal section on line 8-8 of Figure 3, and

Figure 9 is a side elevation on a reduced scale of closure means embodying a modification'of. the invention.

. In the drawings, where for the purpose of illus' tration are shown preferred embodiments of my invention, attention is directed first to Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, wherein the numeral. lidesignates a collapsible container or tube'fortoothpositioned section taken )U; s. code (1952) paste or the like, having an upper end IE, provided with a central reduced cylindrical neck il. Formed upon theupper end of the reduced neck 1 l is an enlarged annular head or flange 583 which is relatively thin, compared to the axial length of the neck [1, but extending radially beyond the periphery of the neck for forming an annular shoulder 19. The head I 8 has a dispensing aperture 29 formed centrally therein which may.

as shown, round or any other a of the periphery of the headlil, Figure 6. Each wedge 2i and 22 preferably extends circumferentially of the neck ll for a substantial distance such as 60, although the circumferential lengths of the wedges may be varied as found desirable. The wedges 2| and 22 have inclined lower faces 23, for a purpose to be described. The wedges 2! and 22 are tapered, and have their lea'dingor tapered ends 24 facing in the same direction and-arranged substantially diametrically opposite each other, as shown. The rear ends 25 of the Wedges are likewise arranged diametrically opposite each other and the inclinedface 23 of each wedge is spaced the same distance below the shoulder 59. The entire neck ll, including the head I 8 and wedges 2i and 2?. may be-formed of metal, moldable plastics material or thelike. The neck I l is built into the collapsible tube l5 during the manufacture of the latter andforms an-integral part of the same.

I A closure cap 'orslide 26 is provided and preferably formedof a moldable plastics material,

or the like. The cap 26 is rectangular and some-' what elongated as shown in the drawings, and includes top and bottom. fiat walls 2? and 28, longitudinal sides 29 and ends 3!), all integrally connected. The top wall 2? is provided near and inwardly of one end 36 witha circular opening 3! slightly larger than the diameter of the head l8 and adapted to permit passage of the head therethrough when the cap 26 is'in the open position, Figure 2. Except for the opening .36, the top Wall 27 is imperforate, as are the longi I tudinal sides29 and ends 30.

The bottom wall 23 of the cap- 2s is provided with a longitudinal slot 32, having its opposite ends .33 circularly curved 'asrshown. One circularly curved end 33 is formed concentric with the opening 3| of the top wall 21, as best shown in Figure 6, and this end 33 is spaced a substantial distance from the corresponding end 30 of the cap. The other end 331 is spaced a lesser distance from the other end 30, Figure 6, so that slot 32 isoffset longitudinally toward the end 30 of the cap remote from the opening 31. The radii of the slot ends 33 are slightly greater than the radius of the neck 17 so that the neck can freely enter and pass from each curved end 33, while moving longitudinally within the slot 32. The width of the slot 32 is slightly greater than the diameter of the neck l1, and sufiicient clearance is provided to permit the cap 26 to be shifted freely with respect to the neck.

The parallel longitudinal edges of the slot 32 are spaced laterally inwardly of the sides 29 and form narrow longitudinal flanges 3A, integral with end shoulders35 and 36, Figure 3.

The distance between the longitudinal sides 29 is slightly greater than the diameter of the head l8, and the head is freely slidable longitudinally within the cap 26. The distance between the top and bottom walls 27 and 28 of the cap is slightly less than the combined thickness of the head l8 and wedges 2! and 22, at the thick ends 25 of the wedges. The cap 26 is permanently connected with the neck of the tube l and cannot be accidentally removed or lost, since the enlarged head it cannot pass through the opening 3!.

In operation, assuming that the cap 26 is positioned as in Figures 1, 3 and 4 for covering the dispensing aperture 20, the neck H is arranged within the end 33 of the slot 32 remote from the opening 3i, and the head I8 is substantially contacting the adjacent end 30. The locking cams or wedges 2i and 22 are now engaging upon the flanges 34, and holding the top of the head l8 tightly against the imperforate portion of the top wall 2?, which covers the aperture 253. Since the combined thickness of the wedges 2i and 22 and the head 18 is slightly greater than the distance between the top and bottom walls 2! and 28, the head 18 is held in tight frictional engagement with the top wall 2'? and the cap 26 is frictionally locked against movement with respect to the neck of the tube. a

When it is desired to open the tube, the cap 28 is first turned 90 about the neck I! from its position in Figures 1, 3 and 4, and this movement positions the wedges 2| and 22 transversely of the slot 32 and free from engagement with the shoulders 34. The frictional engagement of the top wall 21 and head I8 is now broken and the head I8 is free to move downwardly until the shoulder l9 contacts flanges 34, the transversely extending wedges 2| and 22 now being passable through the slot 32, Figure 6. With the cap turned 90 from its position of Figure l, the cap is shifted longitudinally until the head 18 registers with the opening 3|, and the neck I! engages the slot end 33 which is concentric with and below the opening 3i, as shown dotted in Figure 3. When this position is reached, the entire cap 26 is shifted downwardly upon the neck ll, until the head [8 projects above the top wall 21, as shown in Figure 2. The downward movement of the cap 26 is limited by contact with the top is of the tube.

With the cap positioned as shown in Figure 2, the collapsible tube [5 is squeezed for dispensing toothpaste or like contents, and there is small probability of the paste entering the opening 3! and clogging the interior of the cap 26, since the head 18 and aperture 20 are now spaced a substantial distance outwardly of the top wall 21.

When it is again desired to cover the dispensing aperture 22, the cap 26 is first elevated until the head I8 passes through the opening 3! to the interior of the cap. The cap is now shifted longitudinally in the opposite direction until the head I8 engages the opposite end 33 and the neck I! reaches the corresponding slot end 33. The cap 26 is now held down, so that the top wall 21 contacts the head It, and the cap is turned clockwise about the neck ll, as viewed in Figures 6 and 8. When this is done, the tapered wedges 2i and 22 ride up onto the flanges 34 and the head i8 is forced upwardly into tight frictional engagement with the top wall 21. The aperture 20 is now covered by the imperiorate portion of the top wall 21, and the cap 26 is frictionally locked against movement.

In Figure 9, there i shown a modification of the invention, wherein a collapsible tube l5 has the usual externally screw-threaded neck 3'], through which toothpaste, or the like, is dispensed. An adapter tube 38 is provided, and has a screw-threaded opening 39 in its lower end, receiving the neck 31, after the conventional screw-cap has been removed and discarded. Axially beyond the screw-threaded opening 39, the adapter tube- 38 is formed exactly like the neck l1, and provided with the identical head l8 and locking cams 2i and 22, for coaction with the identical cap 26 shown and described in connection with the first form of the invention. In the form of the invention shown in Figure 9, the adapter tube 38 renders it possible to use a standard collapsible tube having a conventional screw-threaded neck, and it is unnecessary to form a special neck upon the tube. The conventional screw-cap is merely removed and discarded and replaced by the adapter tube 38 which has the slide or cap 26 permanently connected therewith. The use and operation of the device shown in Figure 9 is identical with that in the first form of the invention.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subioined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Closure means for a collapsible container having a neck provided with an enlarged head comprising a body portion having top and bottom walls, sides, and ends, said bottom wall having a longitudinal slot receiving the neck of the container and being narrower than the enlarged head so that the head cannot pass through the slot, the top Wall of the body portion having an opening opposite one end of the slot larger than said head and allowing passage of the enlarged head outwardly of said top wall, there being longitudinal flanges formed on said bottom wall and projecting inwardly of the sides of the body portion, and a pair of tapered cam elements formed upon the neck near opposite sides of the same and disposed below the enlarged head and adapted to engage the flanges for forcing the head into engagement with the top wall of the body portion.

2. In a collapsible container, a neck having an enlarged head provided with a discharge opening, a closure element mounted upon the neck and including spaced inner and outer walls, the outer wall having an opening near one end of the closure element adapted to receive the enlarged head, the inner wall having a slot receiving the neck of the container and forming with said inher wall opposed longitudinal flanges which prevent the passage of the enlarged head through the slot, the closure element being shiftable transversely of the neck to position the enlarged head adjacent to the opening of the outer wall, whereby the enlarged head may pass through said opening when the closure element is shifted inwardly upon the neck, and a cam element secured to the neck inwardly of the enlarged head for engagement upon one of said longitudinal flanges when the closure element is turned about the neck while the enlarged head is arranged inwardly of the outer wall. v

3. A closure device for a collapsible container having a screw-threaded neck comprising a tube provided in one end with a screw-threaded opening receiving the neck, the other end of the tube being provided with an enlarged head having a discharge opening, a cam element formed upon the tube near and inwardly of the head, and a closure member permanently connected with the tube and shiftable transversely thereof to open and closed positions, said closure member including inner and outer walls, the outer wall having an opening receiving the enlarged head of the tube, the inner wall having a slot receiving the tube and being narrower than the enlarged head, the slot forming with the inner wall a flange extending longitudinally of the closure member upon which the cam element engages when the closure member is turned about the tube and the enlarged head is arranged inwardly of said outer wall.

4. In a collapsible container a tubular discharge extension through which the contents of the tube are dispensed when the container is compressed, said extension being provided near its outer end with an enlarged head, a pair of diametrically opposed tapered cam elements formed upon the extension near and inwardly of the enlarged head, and an elongated closure element permanently connected with the extension and including inner and outer walls, the outer wall having an opening near one end of the closure element to receive the enlarged head, the

inner wall having a longitudinal slot narrower than the opening of the outer wall, one end of the slot being opposite said opening, the slot receiving the extension and permittin the closure element to be shifted transversely of the extension, the tapered cam elements engaging above the inner wall on opposite sides of the slot when the closure element is turned about the extension while the enlarged head is disposed inwardly of the outer wall, the enlarged head being then forced against the outer wall of the closure element.

5. A collapsible container comprising a body portion, a reduced cylindrical neck secured to the body portion and having a discharge passage for the contents of the body portion, a relatively thin cylindrical head secured to the outer end of the neck and having a diameter greater than the neck, tapered cam elements secured to the neck inwardly of the head and being spaced apart circumferentially of the neck and projecting radially beyond the periphery of the neck and having their outer sides arranged near the periphery of the cylindrical head, and a closure slide permanently connected with the neck and including spaced inner and outer walls, said inner wall of the closure slide having a slot receiving the neck and permitting the closure slide to be shifted transversely of the neck, the slot being narrower than the head so that the head cannot pass through the slot, the outer wall of the closure slide being arranged outwardly of the head and having an opening formed therein adjacent to one end of the slot so that the head may pass through the opening when the neck engages said one end of the slot, the tapered cam elements being adapted to engage upon said inner wall at opposite sides of the slot when the neck engages the other end of the slot and the closure slide is turned circumferentially about the neck, the cylindrical head being then shifted into engagement with the outer wall of the closure slide and the opening of said outer wall then being out of registration with the head.

WALTER. J. DIXON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS France Dec. 28, 1928 

